Spectrum: Local Antimicrobial Stewardship, for Billings Clinic

Meropenem

Restricted
Restricted

C. diff Risk

High

Oral Bioavailability

None

Approximate Cost

$15-30/day

Spectrum Of Activity

General Spectrum of Activity

Spectrum Of Activity

General Spectrum of Activity

Antibiogram Data

Dosing

Renal

Pediatric

3 months and olderStandard dosing: 60 mg/kg/day divided q8h

Meningitis or CF dosing: 120 mg/kg/day divided q8h

Adult

Standard Dose
1g IV q8h

Meningitis or Cystic Fibrosis
2g IV q8h

General Information

Common Usage

Common Usage

Therapy of serious, often nosocomial infections involving resistant gram negative organisms.

Adverse Effects

Adverse Effects

  •  Immediate and delayed-type allergy

  •  GI disturbance

  •  Cytopenias, positive Coombs

  •  Liver enzyme abnormalities

Major Interactions

Major Interactions

Valproic acid - Carbapenems decrease valproate levels and may decrease seizure threshold (cannot overcome this)

Additional Information

Additional Information

Restricted to Infectious Diseases (for very resistant organisms)

Pharmacology

Pharmacology

Antimicrobial class: Carbapenem

Pregnancy category: B

Average serum half life: 1 hour

Urine penetration: Therapeutic

Lung penetration: Therapeutic

CSF penetration: Therapeutic with high doses

Biliary penetration: Therapeutic